Sh2-86 & NGC 6823 (2020)

 So this is NGC 6823, an open cluster surrounded by a nebula complex (Sh2-86) in the constellation of Vulpecula. The open star cluster is about 50 light years across and lies about 6000 light years away. The center of the cluster formed about two million years ago and is dominated by bright young blue stars.  Also found within the confides of Sh2-86 is the small very bright reflection nebula NGC 6820 which is located in the lower right portion of the larger nebula.  There is a long trunk-like pillar of gas and dust emanating from outer region protruding  towards the star cluster that is a highlight of this region.  The huge pillar is believed to be shaped by the erosion from hot radiation emitted from the star cluster. Numerous dark globules of gas and dust are also visible across throughout this region.

So this is the third time I have imaged this object and not surprisingly this time of year.  The first time was three years ago with my old setup using a UHC filter (https://www.astrobin.com/309164/).  The second time was an HaRGB image (https://www.astrobin.com/365596/?image_list_page=4&nc=&nce=) from two years ago soon after I got the ASI1600 but still using the Orion ED80.  This time I went all out with Hydrogen, Oxygen, and Sulfur filters.  I captured RGB data for the stars and merged them into the the starless narrowband version produced using StarNet++.  Fortunately this is much more detailed than either of my previous images, especially from the 2017 version.  I am always surprised how the colors from narrowband images end up looking.  I let the detail guide me on how to adjust the colors and this is what I ended up with.  I probably could have forced it to a more common blue hue with heavy processing but this is sort of growing on me and I have seen other images with similar colors.   

Dates: 9-20-20, 9-21-20, 9-22-20, 9-23-20, 9-24-20, 9-28-20, 9-30-20

https://kurtzeppetello.smugmug.com/
http://astroquest1.blogspot.com/
http://youtube.com/c/AstroQuest1 

Sh2-86 & NGC 6823 (2020) 
Home Monroe, CT
Dates: 9-20-20, 9-21-20, 9-22-20, 9-23-20, 9-24-20, 9-28-20, 9-30-20

Camera: ZWO ASI1600MM-Pro
Telescope: Astro-Tech AT115EDT 115mm Refractor Telescope
Barlow: None
Focal Length: 805
f/7
Focal Reducer: AstroTech Field Flatterner/Focal Reducer
Mount: Orion Sirius
Filter Wheel: ZWO EFW 8 x 1.25"
Filter: ZWO Ha, OIII, R, G, B
Focuser: ZWO EAF
Autoguiding: ASI120 Mini attached to an Agena 50mm Guide Scope/ZWO 60mm Guidescope
Exposure: Ha 61 x 240s, OIII 59 x 240s, SII 61 x 240, R 36 x 90, G 39 x 90, B 45 x 90
Gain: 139
Offset 21
Temp: 10 C
Processing: APT, NINA, PixInsight, Photoshop.

https://kurtzeppetello.smugmug.com/
http://astroquest1.blogspot.com/
http://youtube.com/c/AstroQuest1